Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Also called Environmental Health Officer (EHO), Environmental Technician (Environmental Tech), Sanitarian, or Soil Lab Technician (Soil Laboratory Technician)
Updated · Source: O*NET 31.0
What Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health do
You collect the water, soil, and air samples that prove whether a place is safe, then help explain what the tests found.
Environmental science and protection technicians check whether the environment around people is clean and safe. You gather samples of water, soil, gases, industrial wastewater, or materials like asbestos (an old building material that is harmful to breathe in), run tests, and measure how much of a pollutant is present. You work under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist, so someone more senior usually sets the plan and reviews your findings.
The work splits between two settings. Some days you are out at a site, a workplace, or the scene of a spill or a food poisoning outbreak, collecting what needs testing. A lot of the work happens indoors in a heated and air-conditioned lab or office, preparing samples, checking that test instruments read correctly, recording data, and writing reports and charts.
A day in the life
You start by checking email for sampling requests and deadlines. Mid-morning you drive to a site, talk with the people there about what they have noticed, and collect water and soil samples in labeled containers. Back in the lab, you calibrate the microscope, which means adjusting it against a known standard so its readings are accurate. Then you prepare your samples and weigh and measure particles to find how concentrated a pollutant is. Much of the afternoon is quiet, careful work on your own. You log every result, because a sloppy record can undo the whole test. Then you write a short report with a chart and call a customer to walk them through what the numbers mean in plain words. Some results are needed fast, so the clock matters.
This could fit you if you…
- ✓Like science that involves both fieldwork and careful lab measurement
- ✓Stay organized with records, labels, and data that must be exact
- ✓Can explain technical results to people without a science background
- ✓Want a science job you can enter with an associate's degree
- ✓Enjoy tracking down the source of a problem
You might not like it if you…
- –Dislike paperwork, since recording data and writing reports is a big part of the job
- –Get stressed by deadlines and rush requests after a spill or outbreak
- –Want to run the whole investigation yourself rather than work under a scientist or engineer
- –Would rather avoid handling hazardous materials and samples
How people get in
- 1Take chemistry, biology, and writing classes in high school, and get comfortable with careful measurement and lab notes
- 2Earn an associate's degree in a field like environmental science, sustainability studies, geography and environmental studies, science technologies, or water quality and wastewater treatment technology
- 3Look for internships, summer field jobs, or lab assistant work while you study, since employers value hands-on sampling and testing experience
- 4Learn the basic environmental and health rules that apply where you live, since much of the work is checking whether a site meets them
- 5Apply to environmental consulting firms, testing labs, utilities, manufacturers, and state or local government health and environment agencies
- 6Once hired, expect on-the-job training on specific instruments and sampling methods, often alongside an experienced technician
Who tends to enjoy it
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Official task list
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health, under the direction of an environmental scientist, engineer, or other specialist. May collect samples of gases, soil, water, and other materials for testing. (O*NET)
- Collect samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater, or asbestos products to conduct tests on pollutant levels or identify sources of pollution.
- Investigate hazardous conditions or spills or outbreaks of disease or food poisoning, collecting samples for analysis.
- Record test data and prepare reports, summaries, or charts that interpret test results.
- Prepare samples or photomicrographs for testing and analysis.
- Discuss test results and analyses with customers.
- Inspect workplaces to ensure the absence of health and safety hazards, such as high noise levels, radiation, or potential lighting hazards.
- Weigh, analyze, or measure collected sample particles, such as lead, coal dust, or rock, to determine concentration of pollutants.
- Calibrate microscopes or test instruments.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Science
What you'll need to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Biology
- Law and Government
How much Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health make
The median pay for Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health in the U.S. is $55,090 a year ($26.49 an hour). Most earn between $38,170 and $94,160. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025)
Pay depends a lot on where you live: the median is highest in Washington ($67,160) and lowest in Puerto Rico ($34,370).
Pay by state and territory
| State | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $45,000 | 410 |
| Alaska | $55,220 | 440 |
| Arizona | $57,800 | 590 |
| Arkansas | $48,390 | 160 |
| California | $61,220 | 6,010 |
| Colorado | $60,930 | 740 |
| Connecticut | $66,120 | — |
| Delaware | $45,720 | 150 |
| Florida | $48,840 | 2,090 |
| Georgia | $48,050 | 1,110 |
| Hawaii | $57,010 | 260 |
| Idaho | $55,420 | 200 |
| Illinois | $59,930 | 980 |
| Indiana | $49,020 | 780 |
| Iowa | $52,020 | 470 |
| Kansas | $47,880 | 340 |
| Kentucky | $46,840 | 560 |
| Maine | $51,820 | 150 |
| Maryland | $55,090 | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $59,330 | 330 |
| Michigan | $51,290 | 600 |
| Minnesota | $65,320 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $35,010 | 250 |
| Missouri | $50,340 | 380 |
| Montana | $60,550 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $66,240 | 140 |
| Nevada | $60,370 | 390 |
| New Hampshire | $54,080 | 80 |
| New Jersey | $52,190 | 830 |
| New Mexico | $62,330 | 500 |
| New York | $62,400 | 1,960 |
| North Carolina | $51,630 | 1,100 |
| North Dakota | $61,430 | 140 |
| Ohio | $56,070 | 770 |
| Oklahoma | $48,090 | 360 |
| Oregon | $58,950 | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,650 | 1,180 |
| Puerto Rico | $34,370 | 150 |
| Rhode Island | $64,830 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $48,700 | 500 |
| South Dakota | $44,180 | 60 |
| Tennessee | $56,960 | 320 |
| Texas | $50,710 | 3,350 |
| Utah | $58,240 | 270 |
| Vermont | $55,090 | 50 |
| Virginia | $49,430 | 1,450 |
| Washington | $67,160 | 850 |
| West Virginia | $52,590 | 750 |
| Wisconsin | $55,290 | 380 |
| Wyoming | $49,440 | 150 |
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Environmental Science 740 colleges
- Sustainability Studies 278 colleges
- Science Technologies / Technicians, Other 81 colleges
- Geography and Environmental Studies 69 colleges
- Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology / Technician 81 colleges
- Environmental / Environmental Engineering Technology / Technician 66 colleges
- Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology / Technician 33 colleges
- Environmental Geosciences 17 colleges
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 19-4042.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC 19-4042. Outlook and entry education: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.